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The PUC regulates Black Hills Energy and Xcel Energy, which both have Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) plans that have been or could be implemented, impacting consumers. PSPS events have planned outages for customers and may also have other storm-related outages.
PSPS events are implemented in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire caused by power lines or other utility infrastructure. The Public Utilities Commission does not approve or deny Black Hills or Xcel Energy the use of proactive shutoffs; however, the PUC does have an important role in ensuring that the communication, preparation and coordination of PSPS events is protective of customers.
The PUC is creating a new set of rules establishing permanent requirements and standards for public safety power shutoffs. Staff is currently working to draft these rules and welcomes input from Black Hills and Xcel Energy customers on their experiences with the most recent PSPS events. This information will help ensure that the PUC’s rules are comprehensive.
Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.
Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.
The PUC regulates Black Hills Energy and Xcel Energy, which both have Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) plans that have been or could be implemented, impacting consumers. PSPS events have planned outages for customers and may also have other storm-related outages.
PSPS events are implemented in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire caused by power lines or other utility infrastructure. The Public Utilities Commission does not approve or deny Black Hills or Xcel Energy the use of proactive shutoffs; however, the PUC does have an important role in ensuring that the communication, preparation and coordination of PSPS events is protective of customers.
The PUC is creating a new set of rules establishing permanent requirements and standards for public safety power shutoffs. Staff is currently working to draft these rules and welcomes input from Black Hills and Xcel Energy customers on their experiences with the most recent PSPS events. This information will help ensure that the PUC’s rules are comprehensive.
Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.
Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.
Have feedback for the PUC about a recent Public Safety Power Shutoff? Feel free to share here. Please note: This info will be public for other users to see.
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
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Because of Xcels shut off of United Power, we were without water for those days. It cost me $450 to replace a controller on my holding tank, because the shut off was so long and it surged when the power came on. Resulting in three more days without water. People in the mountains live with wells, when there isn't electricity we can't drink or flush, or shower. Thank you Xcel for this unnecessary long outage that cost United Power customers money.
Share Complete CYA move by Xcel on FacebookShare Complete CYA move by Xcel on TwitterShare Complete CYA move by Xcel on LinkedinEmail Complete CYA move by Xcel link
I live in Gilpin so I should not have been impacted by the latest "public safety" outage, but I was. Some idiotic person on the board from United Power decided it was a good idea to buy our electricity from Xcel although it has always been an independent provider. When Xcel decided to cut power, which they said was for "public safety," but was actually a CYA and punitive move because they were held responsible for the Marshall fire, at least partially, they also cut the transmission line to United Power, without determining if it was even necessary. I was... Continue reading
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I'd like to comment on the preemptive power shutoffs. First, high winds in the front range are NOT new. My personal experience only goes back to 1969 when the Anemometer at NCAR broke due to over speed at something over 130 MPH, however, the foothills topography that drives these winds hasn't changed! Yes, some power lines did break, however, Public Service of Colorado fixed them quickly. (Service, not huge corporate profit).
Secondly a combination of Xcel's unreasonable shutoff policies combined with Century Link/Lumen's lack of a decent backup power source renders many residents totally without emergency (or other) communication. This... Continue reading
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I am writing as a Boulder resident to urge you to take immediate action to protect our community from the growing and dangerous impacts of Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). I live in the Holiday Neighborhood, a relatively new part of Boulder where most power lines are underground. Despite this, our neighborhood is consistently included in PSPS events, creating unreasonable and unnecessary hardship for residents. We experienced power outages lasting 24 hours on April 6, 2024; 27 hours on December 17, 2025; and 33 hours on December 19, 2025. During each outage, I was forced... Continue reading
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We understand that Xcel is being prudent in shutting off power to avoid the risk of wildfire during high wind events. But the shutoff in December 2025 went on for much longer than necessary and was characterized by misleading and inaccurate communication from Xcel. Notifications concerning the timing of power shutoff and restoration were inaccurate. Shutoffs occurred earlier than stated and restoration occurred later than stated. Some shutoffs were unannounced. It seems likely that the wind danger was not present for the entire time of the shutoff. In fact, for most of the time during the shutoff, it simply wasn't... Continue reading
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Coloradans have lived with high winds for over a century without "preventative" blackouts. The shutoffs on December 17th and 19th were not about safety; they were a calculated move to hold the public hostage while lobbying for total liability immunity.
In Golden, the winds on the 19th were mild—the afternoon was calm—yet thousands were left to suffer. We watched food rot and seniors sit in cold homes for a "crisis" that never materialized.
Our legislators consistently pass laws that make operations harder for small businesses; it is time they applied that same rigor to utility monopolies. We need a legislative... Continue reading
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We were told our power would be out for roughly 6 hours. That message came in a form of call, text and email. The power went out earlier and didn't come on until the next evening for about 6 hours. Then it went off for a few days. There was really little wind. We were led to believe by the news that things would be worse yet Xcel shut us down. Since we live in the foothills, we rely on wi-fi calling. When our power is shutdown, we have no service for phone or internet. With no power, we will... Continue reading
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We live in Lake Valley just north of Boulder. Our power was off for the better part of 5 (five) days. Our internet provider went down. Our cell phone coverage is very sketchy even on a good day. Both of these issues are something we would like to see addressed as soon as possible. Maybe a cell tower that provides better coverage for our area or better power backup by our ISP and/or cell providers? In an emergency, medical care would have been delayed at least 30 minutes before we could even contact 911.
Meanwhile, Xcel continued to attempt communication... Continue reading
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The PSPS over Dec 19-21 was necessary for certain areas....just not mine. After the Marshall fire I can appreciate Xcel take precautions when there are high wind warnings. What I found so frustrating and expensive is that my area where I live had very little wind or gusts. We even had rain the night of the 19th.
We received several texts in an attempt to keep us informed but they were conflicting and confusing. When talking to the folks on the line trucks and the area supervisor, even they admitted to being confused. I was told that the lead that... Continue reading
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You know the old saying that "Paybacks are a b***h"? Well, Xcel said "Oh, so you're going to sue us because you think we might possibly have contributed to starting a fire? Ok, watch this!"
It is totally unacceptable for Xcel to cut power in wide areas pre-emptively, and then take multiple days to restore it. I have the funds and space to own and operate a generator, so that I and my family can be warm and keep our food cold. Many people don't have this option. And in this century I should be able to expect reliable power... Continue reading
